Women&#39;s handbags



Nov. 14, 1967 E. VAUGHAN WOMEN S HANDBAGS Filed Aug. 4, 1965 United States Patent 3,352,391 WOMENS HANDBAGS Ernest Vaughan, Ber-Wyn, Ill. 60402 Filed Aug. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 477,244 3 Claims. (Cl. 190-51) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A womans handbag is generally a catch-all wherein items are ditficult to locate. In the present arrangement, the handbag is made in compartments with each compartment being individually accessible and designed to carry related accessories in a neat, orderly and readily accessible arrangement.

This invention relates to womens handbags.

One of the objects of this invention is the provision of a womans handbag having separately accessible compartments each of which can be separately opened without opening any other compartment.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a handbag wherein. commonly carried items of one type are neatly accessible without exposing other commonly carried items of an unrelated type, whereby all such items will be maintained neat and orderly rather than in a jumbled heap as is commonly the case with prior art handbags. For example, one compartment may be arranged to carry such items as wallet, purse, coins, pen and pencil, car keys or other often used articles, another compartment may be arranged to carry personal items, as for make-up, while the third compartment may be arranged to carry cards, papers, identification, and the like.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the handbag showing one of the several compartments open and the other compartments closed and latched.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing the preferred construction of the central compartment, and

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURES 1 and 2 but with the handbag turned over from its position of FIG- URE 1 and illustrating the third compartment in its open position while the first and central compartments are closed and latched.

Referring now to the drawing, it is seen that the handbag comprises a plurality of sections 10, 12, 14 and 16. Section is pivotally connected to section 12 by means of a hinge 11. Section 12 is pivotally connected to section 14 by means of a hinge 13. Section 14 is pivotally connected to section 16 by means of a hinge 15. While a continuous, piano-type hinge is illustrated, it will be understood that other types may be used if desired.

The space between sections 10 and 12 form a compartment 18; the space between sections 12 and 14 form a compartment 20, while the space between sections 14 and form a compartment 22.

As seen in FIGURE 1, the bag section 12 is provided with a planar surface 24 which defines one side of compartment 18. Section 10 is provided with a recess 26 terminating in a flat surface 27, the surfaces 24 and 27 being spaced from each other when the bag section 10 is closed and latched to the bag section 12.

Compartment 18 preferably contains, in relatively accessible position, that group of items which are commonly necessary when the handbag is carried outside of the home. For example, a plastic purse pocket 28 may be secured to the surface 24 and a small coin purse may be inserted thereinto. There may similarly be provided a wallet pocket 30 secured to the surface 24 and into which a wallet may be inserted. There may also be provided a pocket 32 secured to the surface 24 for carrying a pen and pencil set or the like. The various pockets may be cemented, riveted, sewn, or secured in any other manner to the compartment surfaces. They may be made of plastic or any other suitable material. The important point is that separate facilities are provided for keeping personal items neatly in place yet readily accessible. Preferably secured to the surface 27 of section 10 is a coin server 34 wherein pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters may be separately kept and readily accessible. Also secured to the surface 27 is a magnetic key holder 36 wherein one portion of the magnet is secured to the surface and the other detachable portion of the magnet may be provided with a key ring indicated at 37. Sections 10 and 12 may be secured in closed position by a conventional clasp 38. Other items, similar to those enumerated above, may be provided for in this compartment if so desired.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, which shows the central compartment latched shut, it is seen that this central compartment is formed of recesses 40 and 42 in bag sections 12 and 14, respectively. Each of the recesses 40 and 42 may be provided with ruffled elasticised pockets 44 and 46 for holding any miscellaneous items such as bills, papers, documents, cards, and the like. It is possible, therefore, for a user of the handbag to have access to such papers or documents without the necessity of exposing any other of the contents of the handbag, including the money and keys of compartment 18. Similarly, it is possible for the user to have access to keys, a pencil, or money, without exposing papers or documents to the danger of less. Seetions 12 and 14 may be secured in closed position by means of a conventional latch or clasp 48.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, it is seen that the bag has been completely inverted so that section 10 is lowermost while section 16 is uppermost. In this figure, sections 14 and 16 are shown in open position exposing compartment 22. The compartment 22 is defined by a planar surface 50 formed in handbag section 14 and defining the bottom of recess 42 of compartment 20. It is further defined by a recess 52 which terminates in a planar surface 53. Compartment 22 preferably will carry items commonly used for make-up purposes and which are completely accessible without exposing other items carried in the handbag to the danger of loss. For example, there may be provided a pocket 54 secured as desired to surface 50 for carrying a comb 55. Similarly, a ring 56 may be secured to surface 50 for the purpose of holding in place a tube of lipstick 57. Similarly, a powder case 58 may be cemented or otherwise secured to the surface 50. said powder case being the type wherein powder cakes may be replaced or wherein loose powder may be added as required. Another ring 60 may be secured to the surface 50 for the purpose of bolding an eyebrow pencil or the like. Also secured to the surface 50 may be an eye-shadow creme case 62 which may be refilled as necessary, and also a pocket 64 in which may be inserted a mascara case. Preferably secured to the surface 53 is a mirror 70. Sections 14 and 16 may be secured in closed position by means of a convention latch or clasp 72.

The handbag sections 12 and 14 may be provided with a pair of strap handles 74 and 76 which have their terminal ends riveted or otherwise secured to adjacent sections of the handbag, thereby providing carrying means therefor.

The description of the items which are contained in each of the compartments are not intended to be restrictive, but are merely suggestive of a logical breakdown into the various classes of items which are commonly carried by women in their handbags. The important thing is that certain types of items may be utilized or removed from the handbag without exposing other items, and without having to fish through a jumble of items in order to find any particular one. A

I claim: 1.' A womans handbag comprising: a plurality of bag 7 sections, each of said sections having a'substantially planar surface on one side thereof and a recess in the other side thereof, two of said sections being hinged together with the recesses mutually facing each other, and at least one other section being hinged to one of said two sections with the recess of said other section facing the planar surface of said one section, and clasp means'for releasably latching adjacent sections in closed position.

2. A womans handbag comprising: a plurality of bag sections, each of said sections having a substantially planar surface on one side thereof and a recess on the other side thereof, two of said sections being hinged together with the recesses mutually facing each other to form a com partment, a pocket in each recess forming said compartment and extending across substantially the full'length of the respective recess, a third bag section pivotally secured to one of said first two bag sections and having a recess therein which when in closed position forms a second compartment, individual means'in said second compartment for holding individual cosmetic items, and a fourth bag section pivotally secured to the other of said first bag sections and having a recess, when in closed position,

forms a third compartment, and individual means in said third compartment for holding individual personal items.

3. A Womans handbag comprising a plurality of sec- 7 tions, each of said sections having'a substantially planar surface on one side thereof and a recess in the other side thereof, two of said sections being hinged together wit-h the recesses mutually facing each other, and at least'one of said sections for holding respectively individual cosmetic items, and individual means in another of said sections for holding respectively individual personal items.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,464,176 2,115,253 4/1938' Christoffer sen 19016 2,539,302 1/1951 Fye' 190-16 FOREIGN PATENTS 88,106 Germany.

DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary-Examiner. FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

8/1923 Freund 150 34' 

1. A WOMEN''S HANDBAG COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF BAG SECTIONS, EACH OF SAID SECTONS HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR SURFACE ON ONE SIDE THEREOF AND A RECESS IN THE OTHER SIDE THEREOF, TWO OF SAID SECTIONS BEING HINGED TOGETHER WITH THE RECESSES MUTUALLY FACING EACH OTHER, AND AT LEAST ONE OTHER SECTION BEING HINGED TO ONE OF SAID TWO SECTIONS WITH THE RECESS OF SAID OTHER SECTION FACING THE PLANAR SUR- 